Revealing microhabitat requirements of an endangered specialist lizard with LiDAR.

ABSTRACT: A central principle of threatened species management is the requirement for detailed understanding of species habitat requirements. Difficult terrain or cryptic behaviour can, however, make the study of habitat or microhabitat requirements difficult, calling for innovative data collection techniques. We used high-resolution terrestrial LiDAR imaging to develop three-dimensional models of log piles, quantifying the structural characteristics linked with occupancy of an endangered cryptic reptile, the western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia). Inhabited log piles were generally taller with smaller entrance hollows and a wider main log, had more high-hanging branches, fewer low-hanging branches, more mid- and understorey cover, and lower maximum canopy height. Significant characteri

SUBMITTER: Bradley HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8956745 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature